High-school grad, dancer, accountant among Orlando shooting victims

(CNN) -- They range in age from 18 to 50. A barista, an accountant, a recent high school grad.

While different in so many ways, they have one thing in common: They lost their lives in the deadliest mass shooting in the United States.

Authorities have released the names of the 49 people who were killed in a massacre early Sunday at a gay club in Orlando.

Edward Sotomayor was a popular travel planner nicknamed "top hat Eddie" for the black hats he always wore. Cory Connell was a student who dreamed of becoming a firefighter. Eddie Justice was an accountant who loved living in downtown Orlando. The youngest killed was Akyra Murray, a star athlete who had just graduated from high school.

Here's what we know so far about the victims:

Edward Sotomayor Jr.

The 34-year-old Sarasota resident was an avid traveler and easily made new friends.

Friends paid tribute on social media using emojis of black hats.

"Eddie was one sweetheart and I will miss talking and working with him. That smile and top hat is burned in my memory," Nikki Stjames posted.

"He was a kind and loving man. A man that lit up the room with his great smile," said friend Jason Howell. "Always there to try and solve a problem whether small or big. Just the posts on all of the social media sites show how much he is loved and how he touched so many lives ... he will truly be missed."

Sotomayor worked at a travel agency that catered to the gay community, and made his mark on clients as well.

"He was one of our tour leaders, known for wearing his top hat, and for being a really nice guy," Robin Ziegler Suess posted on social media. "He was also a tour leader on our recent Caribbean cruise in January, where I had the honor of wearing his top hat."

Al Ferguson, owner of Al & Chuck Travel where Sotomayor worked, described Sunday as "one of the saddest days" of his life.

Stanley Almodovar III

The 23-year-old pharmacy technician loved his family. And the feeling was mutual.

When he went out on that tragic night, his mother, Rosalie Ramos, made him a tomato and cheese dip, and put it in the refrigerator, she told the Orlando Sentinel.

But he never got to eat it. She got a phone call about the shooting in the middle of the night and rushed to the nightclub.

The last video he posted on social media showed him laughing and singing on the way to the club, Ramos told the paper.

Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo

The 20-year-old was one of the youngest killed in the shooting.

He was a dancer and a barista, according to a local blog dedicated to the victims.

Akyra Monet Murray

Murray was just 18 and in Orlando on a family vacation, visiting her brother after finishing high school in Philadelphia. She had just graduated from West Catholic Preparatory High School and had signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Mercyhurst University, according to the high school.

"Akyra was a superstar who was a leader amongst her classmates and teammates. She was an honors student who graduated third in her class, and a 1,000 point scorer on the Lady Burrs basketball team," the school said in a statement.

Luis S. Vielma

Vielma, 22, worked at Universal Orlando, where he had devoted fans.

One of those mourning his death is J.K. Rowling, creator of the "Harry Potter" book series. The author said Vielma worked on the Harry Potter ride at Universal.

"I can't stop crying," she tweeted.

Juan Ramon Guerrero

The 22-year-old worked as a telemarketer while attending the University of Central Florida.

"He was always this amazing person (and) he was like a big brother to me," his cousin Robert Guerrero told CNN affiliate WESH-TV.

Guerrero came out to his family this year, and was afraid they would not accept him, his cousin said.

But he had no reason to be. They not only accepted him, but they also embraced his boyfriend, Guerrero said.

"As long as he was happy, they were OK with it," he told the TV station.

Christopher Andrew Leinonen

Leinonen, 32, was Guerrero's boyfriend. He was known as Drew. His mom said he established the gay-straight alliance at his high school.

Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera

The 36-year-old moved to Florida from Puerto Rico for a chance at a better life, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

Ortiz-Rivera rarely went out but decided to attend a friend's housewarming celebration at the nightclub early Sunday.

"I am really in shock that he was in the club, because he was not usually a club-scene person," former roommate Abismel Colon Gomez told the paper.

Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz

At 22, he was among the youngest victims.

He worked at a UPS Store and was known for memorizing the names of regulars, according to customers.

"Such a happy soul, so hilarious, and made anyone's frown turn upside down," a friend wrote on Facebook.

Kimberly Morris

The 37-year old bouncer at Pulse nightclub always had a smile on her face.

She moved from Hawaii to Florida a few months ago to help her mother and grandmother.

She enjoyed mixed-martial arts fighting and basketball, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

It has been years since she ran down the court at Torrington High School in Torrington, Connecticut.

But the school's former athletic director said he can still remember Morris, who graduated in 1996.

She was a "scrappy player," Charlie McSpiritt said, who "played the game to her fullest."

Eddie Jamoldroy Justice

The 30-year-old accountant lived in downtown Orlando.

Before he was identified as among those killed, his mother spent an agonizing day looking for him after he texted her from the club, according to CNN affiliate WFTV-TV.

"Mommy I love you," he said in his first message. "In club they shooting."

His mother, Mina Justice, tried to call him, but he did not answer. She sent him a series of text messages, trying to reassure him that she had called 911 and help was coming.

After they exchanged more messages, including one where he said the gunman was in their bathroom hideout, he suddenly went quiet.

Enrique Rios

A relative said the 25-year-old was an angel to most people who knew him.

Erick Leon, who described himself as Rios' cousin, said their ties go beyond family.

"My heart is heavy, we grew up together and now he is gone," Leon posted on Facebook. "God took someone who was already an angel for so many people."

Rayvon Murray Johnson said they used to work together at LaGuardia Airport in New York.

"Was such a funny and cool dude. He used to tell me, 'don't let world hold you back from your dreams,' " he posted on Facebook. "We use to talk about curry and God. ... My heart is heavy, sleep well my brother. "

Rios' partner and a relative confirmed his death to CNN.

Anthony Luis Laureano Disla

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, he had settled in Orlando, according to his Facebook profile.

Friends described him as "an amazing person," "a special guy" and a talented dancer.

"When I saw your name on that list, my heart sunk," a friend posted on his Facebook wall. "You didn't deserve it."

Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega

A photo of Camuy shows him smiling and flashing his fingers in a "V" as he sits in a big red chair on the set of "La Voz Kids," the Telemundo show where he worked.

Camuy worked in audience management for the current season of the singing competition show.

The Puerto Rican journalist got his start at a Telemundo station in San Juan before moving to work for the network in Orlando, his cousin told CNN.

"He was a great assistant producer. ... Jonathan will be missed dearly," NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises Chairman Cesar Conde said in a statement the National Association of Hispanic Journalists released.

In a letter to members of the journalist group, President Mekahlo Medina said the organization is heartbroken over his death.

"Please join me in remembering Jonathan and the other victims taken so early in life by a senseless, horrible act," he wrote.

Camuy would have turned 25 at the end of June.

Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan

Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, 24, was friends with Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, and the two were at Pulse with Solivan's brother-in-law, William Sabad Borges, who snapped a photo of the trio inside the club. Only Borges survived the shooting.

"I was telling my mom (Monday), how could my sister-in-law, who had two children, die ... and I'm still alive? That's what I really can't comprehend," he said.

Cory James Connell

The 21-year-old was leaving Pulse with his girlfriend when the gunman walked in, his family told CNN.

His girlfriend survived the attack, but Connell didn't make it.

He was a student at Valencia College and hoped to become a firefighter, his father, James Connell, said.

"Cory's a good guy," his father told CNN as he awaited word of his son's fate over the weekend. "He loves everybody."

Mercedez Marisol Flores

Cesar Flores is heartbroken that his 26-year-old daughter was killed. She was a happy girl, he said, who had just decided to go out with some of her friends.

But he told reporters he would forgive the gunman.

"I forgive the boy because I cannot take that hate in my life. My life is more important than hate. ... It hurts so much," Flores said.

Mercedez Flores was born in New York.

"She had so many dreams," her father said.

He said he has a message he wants to share: "We must all come together, we must all be at peace, we must all love each other, because this hatred cannot continue for the rest of our lives."

Deonka Deidra Drayton

The 32-year-old was a bartender at Pulse, her family wrote on Facebook.

Kareem Gray, her cousin, said family called her "Dee Dee."

Gray remembered watching her grow up.

"She used to dribble the basketball around me," he wrote.

Miguel Angel Honorato

Honorato, 30, lived in Orlando with his family and managed a Mexican restaurant in Sanford, Florida.

Last month Carrillo Fernandez, 31, and his partner, Aracena-Montero, 26, had something to celebrate.

They'd purchased a home together in Orlando, friend Danny Velazquez told CNN.

The couple both studied business administration at the Universidad de Turabo in Puerto Rico, the school said.

Carrillo, a fast-food restaurant manager, was originally from Venezuela but became an American citizen after living in the United States for eight years.

Carillo's family said he felt uncomfortable in Venezuela, which is a country that does not recognize same-sex marriage.

"My brother came (to visit) about three years ago and he only lasted 10 days here," his sister living in Venezuela said. "Seeing the situation here, he was desperate to leave."

Shane Evan Tomlinson

The 33-year-old performed with his band Frequency at another Orlando nightclub hours before the shooting, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

While attending East Carolina University, he was known "for his high intensity personality and impressive singing voice," the university said.

It only took one interaction with him to see how special he was, one school official said.

"He was a great person," Lathan Turner, associate director of student transitions at the university, said in the school's statement. "If you met him once, he became a part of who you are."

Tomlinson was funny, outgoing and the life of the party, said his friend Javan Jones, who worked with him at Disney. "You look at him and say he's just Shane," he said.

Amanda Alvear

Alvear was at Pulse with a group of friends and on Snapchat when the gunshots erupted. She looked into the camera, then looked away confused. The video ended there.

The 25-year-old loved her nieces, Bella, 12, and Zatanna, 8, and had gone shopping with them Saturday, her brother told the Orlando Sentinel.

"People got caught in her wake," her brother said. "Whatever she was doing, that's what they were going to do and have fun doing it."

Martin Benitez Torres

Martin Benitez Torres had recently moved to Orlando from Puerto Rico and was studying to become a pharmacy technician at Ana G. Méndez University, according to spokeswoman Mayra Ramos. The 33-year-old was studying at the Tampa Bay campus.

"He was a diligent and extremely hardworking student; thankful for the opportunity to advance his career and hopeful to make his dreams a reality," said Carlas Zayas, his Spanish professor.

Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez

Silva Menendez was from Manati, Puerto Rico, and worked at a Speedway convenience store, according to his Facebook profile. The 25-year-old had studied health care management at Ana G. Mendez University in Orlando.

"He was a dedicated man, with great dreams of helping people in need, and the desire of becoming a health care professional. He carried a positive and contagious attitude toward life," said counselor Maricelly Alomar.

Javier Jorge-Reyes

Jorge-Reyes, 40, was from Guayama, Puerto Rico. He was a supervisor at a Gucci store in Orlando. On its Facebook page, the company expressed solidarity with the victims and their families. "Our special thoughts are with Javier Jorge-Reyes, who lost his life, and all of our colleagues in Orlando," the post read.

Tevin Eurgene Crosby

Crosby was ambitious and goal-oriented, his brother told the Orlando Sentinel. The 25-year-old had a marketing company called Total Entrepreneurs Concepts. He graduated from West Iredell High in Statesville, North Carolina, in 2010. His English teacher, Jacqueline Scott, told The Charlotte Observer she was still in shock. "I remember his smile, his love of life. ... I want people to know the laughter and the joy he spread."

Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez

A professional dancer, Dejesus specialized in traditional folk dance of his native Puerto Rico. He was 50.

Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado

He was a dancer. Those how knew him said he was hardworking and friendly. And he was proud of his son. He was 35.

Joel Rayon Paniagua

Paniagua grew up in Veracruz, Mexico. He lived near Tampa and worked long hours in construction. He "worked day and night to send all his money to his family," a friend wrote in Spanish on Facebook.

Juan P. Rivera Velazquez and Luis Daniel Conde

Velazquez, 37, and Conde, 39, were partners. Velazquez was a hairstylist and Conde a makeup artist, and they owned a salon together.

Juan Chevez-Martinez

His co-workers at a hotel said he was a kind and loving person. He was 25.

Jerald Arthur Wright

He worked at Disney World. A co-worker said he was wonderful with the guests and always smiling. He was 31.

Leroy Valentin Fernandez

The 25-year-old leased apartments for a living. A co-worker said he sang Adele in the office until they couldn't take it anymore.

Jean C. Nives Rodriguez

Rodriguez bought his first home a little more than a month ago, the Orlando Sentinel reported. He wanted his mom to live in a nice place. "He was just a caring, loving guy -- just like a big teddy bear," his friend Ivonne Irizarry told the paper.

Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala

The 33-year-old worked at a blood donation center. He was Puerto Rican and loved dancing.

Brenda Lee Marquez McCool

She had 11 kids, beat cancer twice and often went dancing at Pulse with her gay son. Her son survived the shooting. She was 49.

Angel L. Candelario-Padro

The 28-year-old had recently moved to Orlando and had started a job as a technician at the Florida Retina Institute.

Frank Hernandez

He worked at a Calvin Klein store and had "love has no gender" tattooed on his arm. He was 27.

Paul Terrell Henry

Henry's boyfriend, Francisco Hernandez, said he plans to go back to school, according to the Orlando Sentinel. "He knew I had potential for greater things," Hernandez told the paper. "I had three years of college but didn't finish. He wanted the best for me, to succeed and to help me make something of myself.

"I am definitely going to do that for him. I am going to make something of myself."

Henry was from Chicago, loved to dance and have fun. And he was an excellent pool player, his boyfriend said.

Henry had two children. His daughter, Alexia, recently graduated high school.

Antonio Davon Brown

The 29-year-old was a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve and a graduate of Florida A&M University.

Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz

He worked at a bank and was said to be the most positive guy around. He was 24.

Alejandro Barrios-Martinez

Martinez, 21, grew up in Cuba and recently moved to Orlando to live with his father. His mother still lives in Cuba.

Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez

Ortiz-Jimenez, 25, was known to his friends as "Drake." Originally from the Dominican Republic, he was on vacation in Orlando.